Learn how to surf and then teach some fantastic children ensuring they are safe and following the instructions.

You'll experience the amazing feeling of riding the surf on the stunning white sandy beaches of Muizenburg near Cape Town before watching as the children learn how to stand on the board or improve their skills and smile as they try to balance! Surfing in South Africa is a great opportunity to soak up the sun and work on your teaching style.

Muizenberg Beach is possibly one of the safest and best beaches to learn to surf at in South Africa! Gently breaking, sand bottomed waves, ensure that your introduction to this awesome sport will be a fun filled, thrilling & possibly life changing experience

What will I be doing?

The project: 2 to 8 Weeks

Destination info

The surf project is located on the white sandy beaches of Muizenburg near Cape Town and is on the edge of Ocean View township which, true to its name, affords fantastic views. You will be staying in the seaside town of Fish Hoek, a short walk from the beautiful Fish Hoek beach and about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town, where you can check out world famous wonders from Table Mountain to Robben Island.

Location: Fish Hoek and Muizenburg, near Cape Town

The surf project is located on the white sandy beaches of Muizenburg near Cape Town. The aim of the project is to get children from disadvantaged backgrounds off the streets, away from negative influences and to give them something worthwhile and constructive to do with their time whilst having an amazing and enjoyable experience in the process. The project is well known for working alongside the community and for teaching children to surf who would not otherwise be able to afford to do so. In addition the centre advises on healthy eating and fitness programmes including snorkelling, football and hiking, all aiming to help South Africa's next generation be as fit and active as possible.

Your Role: 2 to 8 Weeks

Destination info

The surf project is located on the white sandy beaches of Muizenburg near Cape Town and is on the edge of Ocean View township which, true to its name, affords fantastic views. You will be staying in the seaside town of Fish Hoek, a short walk from the beautiful Fish Hoek beach and about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town, where you can check out world famous wonders from Table Mountain to Robben Island.

Location: Muizenburg

To start with you will receive surf coaching and get up to speed with the core skills of riding a wave. You'll also be introduced to the local area and get the opportunity to visit where the children you are helping live. Along with your own surf lessons you will be helping the centre to prepare for the surfing lessons for the children, including activity plans and equipment. You will then help the children when they arrive to get suited up and select the right surf boards for them.

When you are ready it's off to the water to help teach the children to surf! Usually you will have no more than two children to look after in the water at one time and there will be an experienced instructor nearby on hand. You’ll be working roughly 10am until roughly 5pm with a break for lunch between 1pm and 2pm; the children arrive at the surf project at around 3pm ready for their lessons.

A typical program:

Every morning starts with a surf session followed by lunch.

On Monday and Tuesday afternoons you'll contribute to the development of the projects through social networks taking pictures, writing and posting articles on WordPress. You can also help brainstorm new ways to improve the structure of the project.

Wednesday to Friday afternoons you will prepare for the afternoon activities (soccer, hiking, surfing) and then drive to Steenberg to pick up the kids. After taking part in the running of the session you'll drop them back before home time.

Welcome to Cape Town: First week

Destination info

The surf project is located on the white sandy beaches of Muizenburg near Cape Town and is on the edge of Ocean View township which, true to its name, affords fantastic views. You will be staying in the seaside town of Fish Hoek, a short walk from the beautiful Fish Hoek beach and about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town, where you can check out world famous wonders from Table Mountain to Robben Island.

Location: Fish Hoek and Muizenburg, near Cape Town

On your first day you will be met at the airport and taken to the volunteer house in Fish Hoek, which will take about 45 minutes. Then it’s time for a detailed orientation, an evening meal and sleep!

For rest of your first week you will get to know the local area and learn how to ride the waves like a true surfer. The beach at Muizenberg has been specifically chosen due to its great waves for beginners. While you may learn quite quickly how to make falling off a board look stylish don't worry, most people are standing and riding their first wave within an hour or two.

Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays

Destination info

The surf project is located on the white sandy beaches of Muizenburg near Cape Town and is on the edge of Ocean View township which, true to its name, affords fantastic views. You will be staying in the seaside town of Fish Hoek, a short walk from the beautiful Fish Hoek beach and about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town, where you can check out world famous wonders from Table Mountain to Robben Island.

Location: Cape Town

The weekend is yours to do as you please. You certainly won’t run out of activities to keep yourself occupied in the surrounding areas. With places like Table Mountain, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens and Boulders beach just a short distance from your accommodation, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You could also catch a cab to the local shopping mall to catch a movie, chill out in coffee shops, surf the internet or clothes shop!

Following weeks: Dependent on length of stay

Destination info

The surf project is located on the white sandy beaches of Muizenburg near Cape Town and is on the edge of Ocean View township which, true to its name, affords fantastic views. You will be staying in the seaside town of Fish Hoek, a short walk from the beautiful Fish Hoek beach and about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town, where you can check out world famous wonders from Table Mountain to Robben Island.

Location: Muizenburg

Now that you’ve learnt the basics and are comfortable riding the waves your days will be split between working on your skills and getting involved with teaching the children how to surf. Your mornings will be spent perfecting your style and getting to know more about the tides and currents to give you a better all-round knowledge.

After a break for lunch you’ll help the team prepare for the arrival of the local children. They start to arrive at about 3pm so it will be all hands on deck to prepare activities and equipment ready for the lessons to start. Then it’s time to suit up again and get the wetsuits ready for when the children arrive. A quick check to make sure that they all have their wetsuits and have the right sized board and then it’s time to hit the beach for a pre-surf warm-up. After the surf lessons (about 5pm) you will be helping to rinse out the wetsuits. Your weekend time will again be your free time to explore or relax.

Your final day.
Once you have said goodbye to all your new friends and packed away any last minute souvenirs you’ll travel back to the airport. Your return transfer from Fish Hoek to Cape Town International Airport is not included within your project fee but our regular transfer company will be able to arrange the journey back for you for roughly US$35 / 250 Rand and is easily arranged in country.

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What's included?

Arrival airport transfer

Accommodation

In-country orientation

Local in-country team

24hr emergency support

What's not included?

Flights

Visas

Travel Insurance

Return Airport transfer

Food

Additional Information & FAQs

Minimum age

Minimum age 17 years with parental consent, maximum dependent of potential participants health.

Minimum numbers required on this trip

There are no minimum numbers on the trip.

Please note: you may be the only volunteer at your chosen project at any one time. However, each of our Cape Town volunteer projects share the same accommodation. Therefore, if there are volunteers on our other programmes you will be able to spend your spare time and evenings with them. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact us

Accommodation

During your time in Cape Town you'll be staying in our lovely volunteer house in the small seaside town of Fish Hoek. The house has 3 bathrooms that include western style toilets and hot water. Bedrooms in the house are dormitory style with up to 6 volunteers sharing a room. There are also a number of communal areas including a comfortable lounge with sofas, table where you can eat your meals and a lovely balcony and garden area with BBQ, swimming pool and flatlet! While in the house you will be responsible for keeping the place clean so please tidy up after yourself, especially in the kitchen.

There are lockers in the accommodation where you will be able to store valuable but you will need to bring your own padlock and keys. Additionally you will need to bring your towels as these are not provided. Bedding is provided but we recommend that you bring a sleeping back for travelling and as additional warmth over the winter months (June to August). You should also make sure you bring warm clothes with you, particularly if you are travelling during the South African winter months, when it can get particularly cold.There isn't a washing machine at the house but there is a laundry close by where you can get your clothes cleaned at your own cost.

A Supermarket, shops, internet cafe, laundry and bank are all close to the volunteer house so you’ll be able to shop either in your lunch-break or after your days volunteering.

Please note that there is a 1000R deposit that will need to be paid to the in country team on arrival so please make sure that you have budgeted for this. Your deposit will be returned when you leave the accommodation at the end of your project as long everything is left as you found it.

Meals

Your time in Cape Town is on a self-catering basis (apart from the evening meal on the first night). There is a kitchen complete with cookers, loads of fridge space, microwave, toaster and other kitchen utensils you can use to cook tasty meals to enjoy in the large dining area. However if you are feeling a little lazy why not order takeaway instead!

We recommend that you budget around R600 (South African Rand) per week for groceries, as prices are similar to home. However if you choose to eat out or buy takeaways regularly, this will be more expensive and you will need to budget accordingly.

During the afternoons on this programme you may have the chance to assist in building the social networking/social development presence of the project.

You do not need to take a laptop with you, however, if you do choose to travel with one, please ensure you have sufficient insurance to cover loss or damage.

Advice & Safety

Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.

In addition, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

FAQ

1. How many volunteers will I be staying with?

We have a fantastic volunteer house in Fish Hoek where all of our volunteers stay who are volunteering on various projects around Cape Town.